Flowers from the Storm

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

He's a duke. He's a mathematical genius. He can't talk and he's locked in a lunatic asylum. Only a modest Quaker girl can reach him, but when she helps him to escape, she's swept into his glittering aristocratic world, her life torn apart by his desperate attempt to save himself.

Laura Kinsale personally chose the exceptional talent of Nicholas Boulton to narrate her classic romance Flowers from the Storm - cited by readers of The Washington Post and Glamour magazine as "one of the greatest love stories of all time" - creating a fresh and unique work that brings all the power and intensity of the original to audio.

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Stunning! An exquisite audio book performance.

What made the experience of listening to Flowers from the Storm the most enjoyable?

Amazon had a sample of the audio book on the same page they were selling the book. It was at an amazingly reduced rate because I had purchased the book for my Kindle. The audio book price was a temptation and I had loved the book so much. After hearing the audio sample I made the purchase. Nicholas Boulton, the narrator, must be an incredible character actor. His interpretation of the book and the characters was remarkable.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is not a typical romance novel. Not a bodice ripper even though there is a Duke. Oh it is sensual, but the story....it is so very good. Unlikely lovers, lots of tension, lovely use of words by Laura Kinsale. Not insipid like 99% of romance novels tend to be.

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His performance is incredible. He gives voice to all of the characters and each one is unique. Especially as Christian, who is suffering from the effects of a stroke, Boulton's intensity and passion is flawless. His timing is perfect. He is not simply reading a book, he is making me fall in love with a story and the characters that live in it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I read the book in 24 hours. Then I started over the next day. I am a voracious reader and this is the first time that after finishing, I was compelled to start again...slowing down to relish every word. In Flowers from the Storm, Kinsale elegant use of language was striking, vivid and sensual. With the audio book and Boulton's performance, the story reached a new level. Amazing! Finished in two days, but have re-listened to it or parts of it repeatedly. Currently it is my go-to guilty pleasure.

Any additional comments?

If you appreciate a good book or if you enjoy a smart love story or romance novel, please read this book and pay price to hear Boulton. I promise you will not be disappointed. Candy for your ears. I also love when a story makes me cry. I criy every time I read or listen to this one. Sweet, painful tears. No other book, story, or audio book compares.

The best book I have ever read.....bar none.

Would you consider the audio edition of Flowers from the Storm to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but the narrator in the audio edition was wonderful. He kept the continuity of the book going without fail and I could hear every moment of exultation in his voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers from the Storm?

When Mattie returned at just the right moment to save Christian from shooting his brother-in-laws.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Christian fell instantly in love with his baby daughter after being left alone with her.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A triumphant journey of two hearts joined in love forged by fire and storm.

Any additional comments?

This book kept me trying to look around corners for the next moment of love triumphing over trials. I was never disappointed.

Struggling Here - Spoiler Alert

This was so highly rated that I struggled through - twice - to figure out why.

So one has to assume the Duke, Christian, had a stroke - I'm only saying this because no other option was offered and it happened so early in the story I honestly struggled with what was wrong with him. I get that mental/physical health was limited in "those days." The treatment was horrific!!

Maddy was a Quaker/wanton woman, no surprise there since nature cannot be overcome by nurture, I don't care who you are.

I actually listened to this twice to give it a chance, many many months apart BTW, and still was frustrated with Maddy's angst - ALL OF IT - even when she knew her feelings! Christian I got, and if she were so understanding/pious/etc. then either walk or stay. She had choices, and she didn't like the choice she made? Her angst was so difficult for the Duke I wanted to shake her!!

It was a frustrating read and it is to late to return - so in my library it stays.

This book was SO hard to get through

Wow, for most of the book I would have liked to Kick the female lead! What an annoying person she was written as. It was interesting in the way the male lead had a physical ailment that colored how he was performed through out the book with consistency but that was the only believable interesting aspect of the book. I have read kinsale books in the past but this one would really put me off trying again.

Excellent, Moving, Gripping, Not at all same old same old.

One of the best books I have listened to in years. Fortunately, I had read My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor (her TED talk is highly recommended) so I had a fair understanding of the Duke's condition. It also helped in my understanding & sympathy with Maddie that I had some knowledge of the Society of Friends. Sometimes the book evoked such intense emotions that I had to turn it off for a while.
This intelligent and well written book is not for everyone but for me it was close to perfection.

Good Story

I read this years ago when it first came out. It was good then and still is. It's a good introduction to L. Kinsale.

different but intriguing

I loved this book. I expected a book in the romance genre to be all sex, but this book really delved into all the different aspects of a relationship.

I finished!

I struggled to finish this book because I felt like it dragged on for too long. finally finished and I was happy with the ending but felt it could have come 5+ chapters earlier.

Perfect combination of author and narrator!!!!

This book had been an all time favorite for a long time, so when I saw the audible version, I had to try it. I'm so glad I did, the narrator brings this amazing and wonderful story to life and I found myself falling in love with the characters again! I couldn't put it down! Heard the whole thing in one (very long) day!!!! Absolutely wonderful! Will be listening to the rest of the books coming out because the author is wonderful and the narrator is absolutely amazing! THE PERFECT COMBINATION!!!! Definitely one I will listen again and again!!!!!

Unique and touching tale

The main male character had very few redeeming characteristics and the female character's description, thoughts and actions seemed at time too severe to be lovable. But the way the author wrote the story and weaved them together made them more lovable as a couple than individually. the author did a great job of describing how his illness made him see the world vs. explaining what happened to him. There was great dialogue amongst the chatacters.